News
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A recent news report came out more or less stating that the rising cost of food may be making it impossible for the average American family to afford to have a healthy diet.
Considering we waste 40 percent of what we order in restaurants and buy at grocery stores, maybe there's wisdom to be learned from that adage: “Less is more.”
I thought it applied as I enjoyed a plate of sliced, locally grown, delicious sun-ripened tomatoes at one of GJ's upscale restaurants — 626 on Rood. It was garnished with a mozzarella cheese made right there, bits of aromatic basil leaves from the potted gardens off the patio, topped with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. A few slices of baguette bread and it was a meal — at $7.50. (I had water to drink.)
That's about a dollar or two more than it costs to order a Happy Meal!
True enough, there are items on their menu that are pricey — like the dinner entrée featuring a choice Black Angus Delmonico, a 14 oz. rib-eye steak, complete with shallot-herb compound butter and sweet potato fries that lists for $33. Or, the Roast Rack of Lamb brought down from Meeker sheep country, served with a ginger sauce and garlic-roasted fingerlings potatoes — $38.
OR for twice that amount, you can go for a 40 oz. Black Angus Bone-in Rib-eye, cooked in white truffle oils and served with a red wine-shiitake mushroom sauce.
But for just $7 you can also enjoy a half order of a salad of roasted beets lying on a bed of organic greens, sliced apples, roasted walnuts, Parmigiano cheese and aged balsamic dressing. Add a few slices of baguette bread and you have a very healthy, satisfying dish. There are other delectable salad dishes in that price range, or you can order a cup of their Soup of the Moment for just $5.
The “sharing menu” is served all day, perfect for a dining party of two or three who want to sample scrumptious appetizers featuring local produce — like their strudel of seasonal vegetables with goat cheese, basil oil, and sun-dried tomato sauce. Price is $9. Order a couple of options from that menu, and you can split the cost.
But here's the real deal — anyone can feel comfortable walking in and sampling the wonderful food served by waiters and waitresses dressed to accommodate royalty. (Well, maybe that's an exaggeration — but what I want to say is 626 On Rood is more about “inclusion” than “exclusion,” so you needn't feel awkward if your blue jeans have road oil on them!)
Owner Theo Otte says nothing delights his staff more than for a customer to ask for a dish made to order, using a combination of the fresh stuff they have on hand. (I'd wager a small, vegetable/pasta dish would be quite reasonable!)
Otte often shops for produce as he drives in from his home on East Orchard Mesa, stopping at Teller Arms Farmers' Market if it happens to be Wednesday, or at one or two of the stands along the route between here and there. From where I sat, I could see a line-up of plump, red tomatoes and just-harvested peaches.
(His natural beef for burgers comes from a supplier up Roan Creek near DeBeque, and his seafood arrives “next day” from Honolulu.)
I could say so much more here, but I invite you to step into this great little establishment. Times are tough, and true enough, many people in this community are stretching fewer dollars. But that doesn't mean you can't allow yourself some indulgence — or more aptly put, some real nurturing!
They look forward to serving you. Your table is waiting!
-----------------------------
Paula Anderson is a local writer who now does presentations on Healthy Eating & Our Relationship with Food throughout the Grand Valley community. She is also an owner of Yoga West Collective. She has served as a regular columnist for the Grand Junction Free Press in its early days, and was an award-winning columnist for The Daily Sentinel. Visit her food blog at www.paulaandersonsfoodblog.blogspot.com. Contact Paula at aapma46@bresnan.net.
Considering we waste 40 percent of what we order in restaurants and buy at grocery stores, maybe there's wisdom to be learned from that adage: “Less is more.”
I thought it applied as I enjoyed a plate of sliced, locally grown, delicious sun-ripened tomatoes at one of GJ's upscale restaurants — 626 on Rood. It was garnished with a mozzarella cheese made right there, bits of aromatic basil leaves from the potted gardens off the patio, topped with a sprinkle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. A few slices of baguette bread and it was a meal — at $7.50. (I had water to drink.)
That's about a dollar or two more than it costs to order a Happy Meal!
True enough, there are items on their menu that are pricey — like the dinner entrée featuring a choice Black Angus Delmonico, a 14 oz. rib-eye steak, complete with shallot-herb compound butter and sweet potato fries that lists for $33. Or, the Roast Rack of Lamb brought down from Meeker sheep country, served with a ginger sauce and garlic-roasted fingerlings potatoes — $38.
OR for twice that amount, you can go for a 40 oz. Black Angus Bone-in Rib-eye, cooked in white truffle oils and served with a red wine-shiitake mushroom sauce.
But for just $7 you can also enjoy a half order of a salad of roasted beets lying on a bed of organic greens, sliced apples, roasted walnuts, Parmigiano cheese and aged balsamic dressing. Add a few slices of baguette bread and you have a very healthy, satisfying dish. There are other delectable salad dishes in that price range, or you can order a cup of their Soup of the Moment for just $5.
The “sharing menu” is served all day, perfect for a dining party of two or three who want to sample scrumptious appetizers featuring local produce — like their strudel of seasonal vegetables with goat cheese, basil oil, and sun-dried tomato sauce. Price is $9. Order a couple of options from that menu, and you can split the cost.
But here's the real deal — anyone can feel comfortable walking in and sampling the wonderful food served by waiters and waitresses dressed to accommodate royalty. (Well, maybe that's an exaggeration — but what I want to say is 626 On Rood is more about “inclusion” than “exclusion,” so you needn't feel awkward if your blue jeans have road oil on them!)
Owner Theo Otte says nothing delights his staff more than for a customer to ask for a dish made to order, using a combination of the fresh stuff they have on hand. (I'd wager a small, vegetable/pasta dish would be quite reasonable!)
Otte often shops for produce as he drives in from his home on East Orchard Mesa, stopping at Teller Arms Farmers' Market if it happens to be Wednesday, or at one or two of the stands along the route between here and there. From where I sat, I could see a line-up of plump, red tomatoes and just-harvested peaches.
(His natural beef for burgers comes from a supplier up Roan Creek near DeBeque, and his seafood arrives “next day” from Honolulu.)
I could say so much more here, but I invite you to step into this great little establishment. Times are tough, and true enough, many people in this community are stretching fewer dollars. But that doesn't mean you can't allow yourself some indulgence — or more aptly put, some real nurturing!
They look forward to serving you. Your table is waiting!
-----------------------------
Paula Anderson is a local writer who now does presentations on Healthy Eating & Our Relationship with Food throughout the Grand Valley community. She is also an owner of Yoga West Collective. She has served as a regular columnist for the Grand Junction Free Press in its early days, and was an award-winning columnist for The Daily Sentinel. Visit her food blog at www.paulaandersonsfoodblog.blogspot.com. Contact Paula at aapma46@bresnan.net.
